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SUNNY Temp: 53 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 18, 2002 SOU program’s title, purpose get static on radio By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Classified advertisements for a director at Southern Oregon University’s Queer Resource Center provided fodder for radio talk show hosts this week. Display advertisements for the position appeared in weekend editions of the Mail Tribune and the Ashland Daily Tidings. KCMX’s Rosemary Harrington objected to the ad’s use of the word "queer." But SOU students say it’s a term accepted by a younger generation. "It just offends me mostly because we have been trained that it’s a derogatory word. It’s inflammatory and we really shouldn’t use it," said Harrington. "It’s like fingernails on a chalkboard." " ‘Queer’ is now being reclaimed as an academic term and an umbrella term," said Deanna Leitner, president of the Lesbian Bisexual Gay Trans Allies Student Union (LBGTASU) at SOU. "It’s really hard to put all of the words on the list into the resource center (title). We needed a term that was an umbrella term. ‘Queer’ was the only term that was available." While younger people in the community have accepted the term, Leitner said, others do not use it. The tile didn’t raise any eyebrows during budget committee processes last spring, according to Associated Students President Danielle McNeill. "We refer to it as the ‘queer community’ now. People are comfortable with that," she said. A title that wasn’t "so totally in the face" would please Harrington. She said the group is a good organization and she doesn’t oppose use of the money for a director. "Oregon State University has a center with a similar name," Leitner said. There are campuses in California and on the East Coast that use ‘queer’ also. The resource center will assist lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. The center and position are funded with student fees, not state dollars. Student government representatives approved the position last spring. The fees also support services for other groups. LBGTASU, a student club, provided services such as social support, counseling and scholarship referrals, academic support and political action. "It became too big for a student club," said Leitner. "Our workload was just completely swamped." About 20 active members provided services for at least 500 students last year. Many sought help for class activities. Local talk show host Garth Harrington and Portland radio personality Lars Larson questioned use of the funds Monday at a time of state government shortfalls. SOU issued a press release to clarify the funding source. SOU officials got phone calls from people questioning the funding source. SOU students pay about $1.8 million in fees annually that support a variety of campus activities. They range from intercollegiate athletics and club sports to concerts, education, an ecology center and a child-care center. "It’s well and good for us to say it’s not taxpayer money," said Garth Harrington. "But it could be used to defray other parts of the educational process. It could be used to reduce the taxpayer burden." A total of $41,418 is budgeted this year for the director’s position, center startup costs and operating expenses. The 10-month, three-quarter time director’s salary is $20,967. The center’s creation will reduce the gay student union’s budget. Student senators approved the expenditure as part of an overall budget. SOU President Elisabeth Zinser gave final approval. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S